Guides - Bimmworks BMW E-Series 8HP45 Native Integration Swap Guide

BMW E-Series 8HP45 Native Integration Swap Guide


Please note that the following guide is a simplified method that only works in conjunction with our BMW E-Series ZF 8HP45 Swap Tune. Read the whole guide before starting. 

Even if we worked hard at making this swap easier, it still requires good mechanical and electrical skills. This guide is under continuous development. Proceed at your own risk, ensure compatibility with your specific model / engine and consult a professional if needed.

Bimmworks method advantages

  • Full functionality, no CANbus interface needed! With compatible ECUs listed below, your car works just like it came out of the factory with an 8HP. Yep, a lot of money saved here! 
  • 8th-gear cruise control active with MSV8X/MSD8X ECUs. Yes, N51, N52 (MSV80), N53, N54, N63 & S63 now have the 8th-gear cruise control active with a simple DME Patch and basic DSC/DXC module coding! Like all our add-ons, the DME Patch comes at no extra charge with any of our compatible Engine Tune!
  • Compatible with RWD, AWD and any final drive ratios. By setting the exact rear axle (differential) ratio in the TCU (transmission control unit) tune, the transmission can deliver proper shift points and torque control without triggering a limp mode due to invalid detected vehicle speed.
  • No FRM, JBE or MRS (airbag) modules requirement. By having the driver position check disabled in the transmission tune, no specific or even any FRM, JBE and MRS modules are needed.
  • No CAS module requirement. The flashing software reads the VIN and software version directly from the TCU (transmission control unit). No specific or even any CAS module is needed.
  • No EWS4 requirement. Once the TCU ISN has been reset, the EWS remains unlocked and fully functional even without being connected to an EWS4 CAS module.
  • No WinKFP needed for the transmission update. It is now integrated into the flashing software you will also be using for our tune.

Prerequisites

  • ZF 8HP45 transmission:
    • E-Series or F-Series, RWD or AWD 8HP45 transmission body.
    • E-series 8HP45 mechatronic (F-Series mechatronics are not compatible).
  • E-Series 8HP gearbox connector or complete donor harness.
  • E-Series 8HP or DCT shifter with proper connector and pins.
  • Compatible torque converter or flexplate:
    • For N52 engine, use a N20 flexplate or N55 torque converter.
    • Search compatibility for other engines.
  • Transmission fluid (ZF Lifeguard 8 or equivalent).
  • Oil lines adapter. 6HP and GM6 use smaller diameter oil lines and fixture is also different. An adapter makes the fitment a lot easier.
  • GM6 oil lines aren't long enough. You can use 6HP oil lines (recommended) or make your own.
  • LCI Paddle Shifters or modified pre-LCI paddles (with resistors).

Chassis compatibility

  • E81, E82, E87, E88 - 1 Series
  • E83 (N52N) - X3 (to be confirmed)
  • E89 - Z4
  • E90, E91, E92, E93 - 3 Series
  • E60, E61 - 5 Series (May require DSC/DXC module work or swap)
  • E63, E64 - 6 Series (May require DSC/DXC module work or swap)
  • E70, E71 - X5, X6, X5M, X6M

ECUs compatibility

Simplified E-Series 8HP native environment overview

Swap steps

Step 1 - Original transmission removal

Step 2 - Mechanical Fitment

  • Compare housings and modify mounting points as required
  • Install the correct torque converter / flexplate combination

Step 3 - Wiring harness swap or modification

Swap the transmission harness with the OEM 8HPe harness or modify yours using the following references.

Original pinouts

Transmission connector rewiring

Step 4 - Install the 8HP transmission

  • Replace oil pan and filter if desired.
  • Install new or modified oil lines.
  • Install oil lines adapter on the transmission.
  • Use new hardware where recommended.
  • Install the 8HP transmission.

Step 5 - Install/wire the E-Series 8HP/DCT shifter

5.1  Repin your old transmission harness to the 8HP shifter connector and add PT_CAN and 15WUP wires.

5.2  Shift lock bypass by jumping (joint together) the two wires (pins 1 and 3) of the shifter connector X14274.

Step 6 - TCU ISN Reset

In order to work in a new car, your 8HP TCU requires an ISN reset that must be done BEFORE the tune flash. The ISN reset is not included in our tune package but can easily be done with the BTT 8HP ISN Reset app or any other 8HP ISN reset tool.

Step 7 - Bimmworks custom 8HP TCU tune flash

Our 8HP custom swap tune is the main core of what makes this swap possible in such a simple way. Right after the ISN reset and just before the first start is the ideal moment to do the flash. Get our tune here: https://bimmworks.com/products/bmw-e-series-8hp45-swap-tune. Beware of scammers: some other tuning companies are now trying to sell you poor copies of our work. Don't pay more for a knockoff that lacks proper custom tuning and dedicated support!

Step 8 - MSV8X/MSD8X DME Patch & DSC/DXC module coding

This step is required for the 8th-gear cruise control to work with MSV80, MSV80.1, MSD80, MSD81 & MSD85 ECUs. Older ECUs like the MSV70 are not compatible with 8th-gear cruise control yet. Refer to the ECUs compatibility chart above.

  1. DME Patch: This is a DME (ECU) program modification that allows the 8th-gear to the DME cruise control logic. Like all our add-ons, the DME Patch comes at no extra charge with any of our compatible Engine Tune! You can find our E-Series Engine Tunes here: https://bimmworks.com/pages/tunes-e-series
  2. DSC/DXC module coding: Being part of the cruise control system, The DSC/DXC module also need some changes. You must do the following coding manually using softwares or apps like NCSexpert, Protool or Bimmercode:
    • DSC/DXC → C0F_GETRIEBE → wert_00
    • DSC/DXC → C0F_AFH_HSA → wert_00

Step 9 - Fluid fill procedure

Fill up the transmission fluid following ZF specifications.

  1. Lift the car making sure it is level.
  2. Remove the fill plug.
  3. Fill the transmission up to the fill plug.
  4. Start the engine and let the transmission fluid warm up.
  5. Fluid temperature must be between 30°C–50°C (86°F–122°F).
  6. Go through all gears including reverse a few times.
  7. Fill up again until it just begins to drip.
  8. Put the fill plug back.
  9. Done.

Step 10 - Go for a first test drive

If every steps were done correctly, you should now be ready for a first drive

  • Go smoothly.
  • Make sure all gears engage properly.
  • Check for faults, leaks or abnormal behavior.

Notes / Troubleshooting

  • If you are doing this swap on an originally manual car, you must add $205 to your VO and default code car.
  • If your cluster (Kombi) doesn't display 8th gear, update it using WinKFP.
  • If you are getting PLOCK faults, you must do the following CAS module coding manually using softwares or apps like NCSexpert, Protool or Bimmercode:
    • CAS → AUSWERTUNG_P_HW → nicht_aktiv
    • CAS → ABZUGSPERRE_PLOCK_C6 → nicht_aktiv
  • Depending on models/years/software versions, even if you did the proper 8HP tune flash and modules coding and even if the transmission and everything works perfectly, you may still get a gearbox fault being displayed in the cluster (yellow gear) and if equipped, in the infotainment screen (Pos. R, N, D may not be possible!). In this case, the workaround is to simply disable that specific CCID fault notification. For this you must do the following KOMBI (cluster) module coding manually using softwares or apps like NCSexpert, Protool or Bimmercode. In the cluster coding, CC_ID_AKTIV_XX are all the notifications the cluster can display. XX values assignment may change between models/software versions. For most cars, that transmission fault is CC_ID_AKTIV_11 but again, it may be different for you. Disable 11 first but if it's not the right one, restore your coding and try the others:
    • KOMBI → CC_ID_AKTIV_11 → Custom values → Replace all four Bytes with 00.
  • For N55 engines, if the RPM gauge doesn't work in the cluster, you must do the following KOMBI module coding manually using softwares or apps like NCSexpert, Protool or Bimmercode:
    • KOMBI → DZM_DISP_RPM → wert_01.
  • For Canadians needing a RWD 8HP45, your can build your own using a F30 8HP45 body with any E-Series 8HP45 mechatronic.
  • Please report any issues or suggestions so we can improve this guide.

Special thanks

    • To Alex Naoumov, who was one of the first to pioneer E-Series 8HP45 native integration.
    • To Eddie Miller for your help, trust, tests and mostly for the two times you did two days round trips to bring us a few 8HPs that made all this possible!
    • To TheFiztec for creating the original MSD81 patch, which served as the foundation for the MSVD8X 8th-gear cruise control DME patch we include with our compatible engine tunes at no extra cost!